Plea to PM to secure release of priest abducted in Yemen

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PTI

July 20, 2016

UPDATED: July 20, 2016 18:50 IST

Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 20 (PTI) Kerala Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala today pleaded Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take steps for the release of Father Tom Uzhunnalil, who was abducted in the war-torn Yemen in March this year.

Chennithala made the plea in a letter to the prime minister.

Uzhunnalil, who hails from Kerala, was abducted by terrorist group Islamic State which attacked an old-age home run by Mother Teresas Missionaries of Charity in southern Yemeni city of Aden. At least 15 people were killed in the attack.

Video clippings of Uzhunnalil was circulated on the social media today showing the bearded priest blindfolded, and being thrashed.

"It is unfortunate that the central government has been unable to secure his release," Chennithala said in the letter.

He also wanted the Centre to treat the matter as "very serious" as the people of the state were anxious about the fate of the priest.

Kerala lawmakers raised the issue in the Parliament today and the government assured them that efforts were being made to secure his release. PTI UD BN ABH MAV

This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.

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